Post by carsoni4 on Jun 22, 2013 12:58:16 GMT -5

I thought it was fucking GREAT! Hadn't been VIP since 2011, but I feel like this year's VIP amenities made 2013 the best Bonnaroo ever. I really felt the staff went out of their way to make VIP super enjoyable this year.

Amazing:- the Which pit- all staff I talked to seemed very knowledgeable and helpful - VIP compound had everything you could need- Sunday brunch was a nice treat. That gospel band was really cookin'. And the little brunch tidbits they were handing out was a great gesture. - that VIP cafe/restaurant thing. Man, those breakfasts were so clutch. Great lunch options too!- the SOUNDCHECKS! They should start advertising this as a feature. The only thing that'll get me up quicker than the Tennessee sun is BONUS SETS from headliners. McCartney on Thursday night was unreal, Jack Johnson on Saturday morning was the most sublime way to "wake up slow" and I literally SHOT outta bed when I heard Petty ripping into "Here Comes My Girl" early on Sunday morning. - every campsite is awesome. I was right at the back, but that meant I could see the screens from my tent, had a close walk to the back bathrooms and showers (nearly always empty) and could get into the What stage entrance in two minutes.

SUPER AMAZING:I just wanna give a shout-out to that guy who masterminded the construction of the VIP entrance to What stage. The GA backlog at that entrance was massive and it seemed like this one guy was determined to get us VIPers in that entrance at any cost, even going so far as to create a little blue fence type deal that gave us a quick way in. This guy was the man! Thank you!

Somewhat bothersome but not enough for me to complain or even bring me down slightly:- food lines on Thursday. Unlike anything I've ever seen. How did this process go so smoothly in years past? I theorize it was because of the very limited hours of food service they posted. If they had just stated everyone will get food, rather than post a limited 3-hour window, I don't think there would have been such a crush of people during dinner hours. I remember in 2011 just walking up at 8ish with no line, even going up for seconds!- AC in some of the VIP bathrooms was waning towards the end of the weekend. Again, didn't BOTHER me, but I did NOTICE.

OTHER SHOUTOUTS:- to the people I ran into on Sunday night while just walking around the VIP campground for hours. My friends had all passed out and I was not ready to let Roo go, so I just got on my feet and did several dozen laps, trying to soak up every ounce of the experience until the sun came up. I was not shocked to see others doing the same thing, and what a pleasure it was to talk to you all! Special shoutout to the security guy who let me hang out by the arch for a while, even though Centeroo was officially closed.

Overall, zero roo-grets and I have zeroo doubts that I'll be back in VIP for subsequent trips to the farm!

Post by glitterous on Jun 22, 2013 13:04:56 GMT -5

I agree with everything you said. I would also like to mention that every single VIP staff member is AMAZING. They are ridiculously friendly, endlessly helpful, and made the experience twice as great as it could be. Thank you, VIP staff!

Post by greg on Jun 23, 2013 11:16:04 GMT -5

I also thought it was fantastic.

In regards to the VIP entrance to the What stage....as of Friday morning, none of the workers knew about a VIP entrance. I think several of us must have done this, but I had a nice long talk with some of the workers/supervisors and showed them the map that Bonnaroo emailed to us the week before. Within a few hours, the awesome supervisor built a line for VIP, so that was great. That was such a nice perk since camp inforoo got crammed as far away from Centeroo as possible. It made it really really awesome to run back to camp to grab a free beverage and still be able to hear everything loud and clear. Literally a 2 minute walk from the VIP hill to our campsite.

I do wish there had been bathrooms closer to camping area G, but I don't know if I could've handled more of the sewage smell that took over our area.

I found that we were so far away from the VIP tent in the camping area that we rarely even sat in that area. It just didn't make sense to go over there. Likewise, we didn't eat anything from the VIP food vendor.

Another nice perk was the ice delivery for $5/bag. I'd much rather pay an extra dollar a bag to have it delivered. $4-$5 for a 22 lb bag is a bargain, too. That's less than buying at a gas station.

Post by carsoni4 on Jun 23, 2013 11:49:16 GMT -5

VIP staff was rocking awesome. The guys that were at the entrance to Centeroo at night were so freaking fun. Highfives and dancin. Life was great. Life IS great.

YES! So glad you mentioned these guys! Normally going in VIP can kinda take away from the Centeroo entrance fun (you're in before you know it) but these guys added that little extra flair that always left me with a smile. Huge bonus points to them for reading out whatever people had on their shirt too. It was priceless to hear them say "TOM FUCKIN PETTY! Tom fuckin Petty is right my man, slap that wristband! Awww yeah!"

Post by sooner25kp on Jul 7, 2013 17:15:47 GMT -5

LOVED IT! It was my first Roo in VIP and was happy alone with the bathrooms. There was one trailer I always went into. It was the cleanest and had the best air and music. I was disappointed in the dinner on thurs. Everything I read previously said there were hardly lines in previous years. I guess demand was up this year because I got into the line late and it was forever long. Once I got food, I guess they were out of the pulled pork sandwiches and shrimp. All we got was a small piece of chicken, a little salad, one piece of bread and a piece of watermelon. Made me wish I had just stayed in centeroo and paid for a better dinner. Otherwise, EVERYTHING was worth the price.

Post by glitterous on Jul 7, 2013 20:34:02 GMT -5

Once I got food, I guess they were out of the pulled pork sandwiches and shrimp. All we got was a small piece of chicken, a little salad, one piece of bread and a piece of watermelon.

I talked to one of the volunteers that worked the dinner. She said at first people were serving themselves. There weren't really enough tables to move people through quickly, so as people were reaching the food, they were taking a huge amount (I guess because they'd waited in line for so long and they didn't want to have to come back for seconds?). The food started getting low really early on, so they shut everything down for a minute and grabbed volunteers from anywhere they could to serve food. That's why people at the end hardly got anything. I don't know how much catering Jim & Nick's does (as opposed to food truck-style meal plates), but either Bonnaroo didn't order enough food or the caterer isn't experienced with people taking so much more food when they serve themselves.

EDIT: On the topic of VIP food, I was kind of disappointed in the Ben & Jerry's ice cream too. I would figure they would have enough ice cream to last until about half-an-hour after the start of the hand-out, but they usually ran out about 10 minutes after starting. I got there at 2:12 one day and they were down to a pint of Cherry Garcia with no spoons and a tiny cup of banana yogurt that had a wooden spoon. The girl serving it (the same volunteer as above) was SO nice and held on to the yogurt while I used the bathroom, but it was crazy that a) the ice cream disappeared so quickly and b) they served pints with no spoons! I watched some poor schmuck squish the sides of the container and take giant bites of his makeshift Push Pop. It was hilarious. I was waiting for a big slurp noise and all the ice cream to fall on his face.

Post by greg on Jul 7, 2013 22:39:15 GMT -5

Once I got food, I guess they were out of the pulled pork sandwiches and shrimp. All we got was a small piece of chicken, a little salad, one piece of bread and a piece of watermelon.

I talked to one of the volunteers that worked the dinner. She said at first people were serving themselves. There weren't really enough tables to move people through quickly, so as people were reaching the food, they were taking a huge amount (I guess because they'd waited in line for so long and they didn't want to have to come back for seconds?). The food started getting low really early on, so they shut everything down for a minute and grabbed volunteers from anywhere they could to serve food. That's why people at the end hardly got anything. I don't know how much catering Jim & Nick's does (as opposed to food truck-style meal plates), but either Bonnaroo didn't order enough food or the caterer isn't experienced with people taking so much more food when they serve themselves.

EDIT: On the topic of VIP food, I was kind of disappointed in the Ben & Jerry's ice cream too. I would figure they would have enough ice cream to last until about half-an-hour after the start of the hand-out, but they usually ran out about 10 minutes after starting. I got there at 2:12 one day and they were down to a pint of Cherry Garcia with no spoons and a tiny cup of banana yogurt that had a wooden spoon. The girl serving it (the same volunteer as above) was SO nice and held on to the yogurt while I used the bathroom, but it was crazy that a) the ice cream disappeared so quickly and b) they served pints with no spoons! I watched some poor schmuck squish the sides of the container and take giant bites of his makeshift Push Pop. It was hilarious. I was waiting for a big slurp noise and all the ice cream to fall on his face.

i do wish we had gotten ice cream more than we did. we stumbled across it on friday, but didn't find it again. love me some americone dream.

Post by glitterous on Jul 8, 2013 10:09:21 GMT -5

I talked to one of the volunteers that worked the dinner. She said at first people were serving themselves. There weren't really enough tables to move people through quickly, so as people were reaching the food, they were taking a huge amount (I guess because they'd waited in line for so long and they didn't want to have to come back for seconds?). The food started getting low really early on, so they shut everything down for a minute and grabbed volunteers from anywhere they could to serve food. That's why people at the end hardly got anything. I don't know how much catering Jim & Nick's does (as opposed to food truck-style meal plates), but either Bonnaroo didn't order enough food or the caterer isn't experienced with people taking so much more food when they serve themselves.

EDIT: On the topic of VIP food, I was kind of disappointed in the Ben & Jerry's ice cream too. I would figure they would have enough ice cream to last until about half-an-hour after the start of the hand-out, but they usually ran out about 10 minutes after starting. I got there at 2:12 one day and they were down to a pint of Cherry Garcia with no spoons and a tiny cup of banana yogurt that had a wooden spoon. The girl serving it (the same volunteer as above) was SO nice and held on to the yogurt while I used the bathroom, but it was crazy that a) the ice cream disappeared so quickly and b) they served pints with no spoons! I watched some poor schmuck squish the sides of the container and take giant bites of his makeshift Push Pop. It was hilarious. I was waiting for a big slurp noise and all the ice cream to fall on his face.

i do wish we had gotten ice cream more than we did. we stumbled across it on friday, but didn't find it again. love me some americone dream.

Their Pistachio Pistachio is the best fracking pistachio ice cream ever. It takes like honest-to-god nuts and cream, which is what I'm looking for in an ice cream. Also, it's a completely normal color, not neon green like a lot of pistachio ice creams. Even if you've said you don't like pistachio ice cream in the past (it can be a polarizing flavor), I highly suggest trying Ben & Jerry's. It may change your mind.

Post by klimfactor on Jul 9, 2013 11:05:08 GMT -5

My VIP experience was near perfect in every way. So perfect my crew already has made plans to return in 2014, this after I contemplated making this my eighth and last year. I will say one thing I'd like to see them do in the future: Put some bathrooms and showers on the other end of the camping area, the end farthest from the main VIP tent. That's quite a hike for the people camped there.

Post by hcmg on Jul 9, 2013 11:26:38 GMT -5

This was my 4th year of Roo and first in VIP. Overall I loved the experience and I can't imagine going back to GA camping again. It makes the whole week so much easier.

LOVED- The Hill & Which Pit - both of these were great and the VIP pit at Which was probably my favorite thing of the festival. The ease with getting close during any act (even the LN sets) makes going to that stage such more of an enjoyable experience as heading to Which for LN or at the end of days can be difficult with it's terrible sight lines. The bathrooms at both were also outstanding and the VIP tent next to Which had the cleanest bathrooms of the entire fest.- VIP Tent Next to Which - we stopped in here a few times every day and it was a great way to get out of the sun, watch a band on the TV, grab some ice cream and use a clean bathroom. We even skipped some sets (Dirty Projectors) just to watch it from the VIP tent and so we could sit/lay down.- VIP Entrance at the Arch - never waiting in line and being a, at most, 5 minute walk from Centeroo is just such a change from GA. We went back to camp prior to the headliner every night to have a few drinks, shower and get ready for late night. - Workers at the VIP Arch Exit - not sure if anyone else remembers these guys - but they made leaving the fest for me. Shouting/singing/dancing 'GREEN! GREEN! GREEN!' each time you left to scan your wristband on the out was hilarious and awesome. So great to see volunteers having so much fun at their job.

IMPROVEMENTS- VIP camping size - I've never been in VIP camping before but my neighbors had and mentioned that the camp sites seems a little smaller than last year. It did seem very similar to GA campsites. I expected it to be a little larger and had to readjust my layout, but everything was still fine in the end.- VIP areas at Tents/Comedy/Cinema - didn't find out about these until Sunday and I know it varied on the weekend, but if this is an actual perk they need to say it more. Luckily as we were waiting in the Cinema line on Sunday morning for Mistaken for Strangers one of the workers, said "Is anyone VIP?" and then lead us to the front of the line and told us that the first three rows were just for VIP. Also heard that tents had little pits for VIP and that would have made a world of difference for some acts (alt-j, Tame Impala, Animal Collective, Soul Superjam)- VIP dinner - think it's already been touched on, but something was off here. Long lines, little food left over and just a little bit of a headache.- Addition Bathroom Pod in VIP camping - we were a few rows to the west of the bathrooms on the east side of VIP so we had a 30 second walk - but if people are camping on the south end of VIP that could be a trek. They should add another row of VIP bathrooms/showers on the south end of the VIP camping.- Charging Stations in Tents - add a few (double?) the amount of outlets in the VIP tent in camping and by the Which stage. Each time we went all outlets were full (it was easy to find one by waiting 10-15 minutes), but they can improve this. What I really want to see is a charging drop off station at both tents. Have 1-2 people working it (you can take people from the bar as outside of Thursday night there was never a line at either of the bars in the tent) and have a drop off system so they can charge phones and so you can leave it and not worry about someone walking away with your phone. Very similar to what they used to have at the Fuse barn would work.

Overall VIP is the way to go at Bonnaroo. I'm usually drained by Sunday but I felt I easily could have handled another 1-2 days of Bonnaroo when it was over.

Post by billypilgrim on Jul 9, 2013 14:52:35 GMT -5

Is it just me or does anyone else think that the people in the What Stage VIP viewing area don't show enough appreciation for the music. I'm not talking about jumping up and down and screaming your head off. But one of my pet peeves at Roo is the number of people who don't clap or do anything to acknowledge the bands playing. It seems to me this is worse on the hill. Has anyone else observed this?

Post by hcmg on Jul 9, 2013 15:09:23 GMT -5

Is it just me or does anyone else think that the people in the What Stage VIP viewing area don't show enough appreciation for the music. I'm not talking about jumping up and down and screaming your head off. But one of my pet peeves at Roo is the number of people who don't clap or do anything to acknowledge the bands playing. It seems to me this is worse on the hill. Has anyone else observed this?

Post by nthingtolose on Jul 9, 2013 15:29:53 GMT -5

During OMAM same thing. There was one group of girls the drummer recognized then the bassist came up and winked and nodded at me and my gf and i'm pretty sure it was because very few people were rocking out in the VIP pit except for a handful. I never understood that either. 10 feet from the stage and you can feel the energy i can't help but just rock out.

I REALLY think they should open up VIP pit to GA after like first song or two similar to when they kick press out. And pack it in at least a little more. This would help with energy and waste less space..

Like during Dleta Rae it was dumb to just let like 15 of us in and not open it to others who are at the show.

Post by theshining on Jul 9, 2013 18:18:53 GMT -5

This was my 3rd year going VIP. At this point there is no looking back, the idea of GA just doesn't appeal to me in the slightest. Great experience, well worth the price, some much more comfortable, so much easier to survive and pace the weekend, so little time spent in lines, etc, etc, etc.

Post by holls on Jul 9, 2013 23:17:06 GMT -5

Is it just me or does anyone else think that the people in the What Stage VIP viewing area don't show enough appreciation for the music. I'm not talking about jumping up and down and screaming your head off. But one of my pet peeves at Roo is the number of people who don't clap or do anything to acknowledge the bands playing. It seems to me this is worse on the hill. Has anyone else observed this?

Yep, observed and experienced...more so in recent years. It wasn't that way when Stevie Wonder played; we were all dancin' fools during that show. But lately there's been WAY MORE sitting during headliner shows (Arcade Fire in '11, Radiohead last year and even Wilco this year. It's the only time I've ever sat for any of their shows!) To make up for it, I danced my asss off in the rain during Tom Petty on The Hill this year!

I feel that if you want to WATCH a show, sit on The Hill; if you want to EXPERIENCE a show, be in the field. It makes a huge difference. Maybe the sitting kills the vibe? I never feel disconnected from the crowd's energy at the Which Stage VIP viewing area...

Post by postjack on Jul 9, 2013 23:35:09 GMT -5

I said this same thing last year, but I really need to give up my hotel room/GA combo and go VIP next year. I just have such a hard time letting go of the whole sleeping in air conditioning and watching Bill Maher after a full day of music.

Having said that it is a pain in the ass driving to Murfreesboro at 3am after 14 hours of music. I certainly wouldn't miss that.

Post by glitterous on Jul 10, 2013 11:37:04 GMT -5

- VIP camping size - I've never been in VIP camping before but my neighbors had and mentioned that the camp sites seems a little smaller than last year. It did seem very similar to GA campsites. I expected it to be a little larger and had to readjust my layout, but everything was still fine in the end.

Just looking at the site, I thought the same thing, however, I believe they are the same size as in the past. We were able to fit an SUV in sideways with extra space, meaning the spot was OVER 15 ft wide. We did a set-up at home and determined there wasn't enough space for the car and three ez-ups, which required 35 feet. Between our car and the one across from us (which was also sideways), we fit three ez-ups, a large (two room) tent and had room in the middle for a tarp. Thus, the space was about 30 feet for each person, or 60 feet total.

So while I didn't get out and measure, I believe we received the 15x30 ft we were promised.

Post by catman723 on Jul 21, 2013 14:57:37 GMT -5

If you can find them, go for guest. I've heard about them being sold on eBay and such, there is no official outlet for purchasing them, but I've seen them go for prices comparable to vip.

Comparing them, you can't get into the vip areas with guest, but there's a guest lounge backstage that vip isn't allowed to (lots of area to rest, but not really any free shit). Everything else is either the same exact perk as for vip, or there's an equal alternative (pit access, front-of-line for cinema and comedy tent, free food/beer events).

Oh yeah, one more thing. Guest camping is behind the which stage in the trees (shade, glorious shade). Out tent tore during transport, so I got one of those enos fold-up hammocks, set it up at our site using the trees, and slept like a baby every night, waking up to a cool breezy morning around 10.

Post by glitterous on Jul 25, 2013 13:17:07 GMT -5

If you can find them, go for guest. I've heard about them being sold on eBay and such, there is no official outlet for purchasing them, but I've seen them go for prices comparable to vip.

Comparing them, you can't get into the vip areas with guest, but there's a guest lounge backstage that vip isn't allowed to (lots of area to rest, but not really any free shiz). Everything else is either the same exact perk as for vip, or there's an equal alternative (pit access, front-of-line for cinema and comedy tent, free food/beer events).

Oh yeah, one more thing. Guest camping is behind the which stage in the trees (shade, glorious shade). Out tent tore during transport, so I got one of those enos fold-up hammocks, set it up at our site using the trees, and slept like a baby every night, waking up to a cool breezy morning around 10.

Catman, when do the guest wristbands go out? Should I start looking in November? I probably won't do it, but I'm curious.

Guest does look pretty sweet, but then I wouldn't be with my inforoo buds

Post by sc1997 on Aug 20, 2013 20:34:52 GMT -5

Alright, I know this is a little late, but I wanted to compare Bonnaroo VIP with Outside Lands VIP. This year was my second Roo but first VIP, and it was my first OSL all together.

Bonnaroo VIP perks:

• If I walked from my tent to the arch, It would take me more time to type up to this point.• Private entrances were spectacular. The only time that I had to wait in a line to get into Centeroo was when the gates first opened at 12:00 PM on Thursday. I didn't even wait for people to get through, I just waited for the gate itself to open.• The bathrooms were actual bathrooms. You had porcelain toilets (stalls and urinals.) There was a sink that you didn't have to press down with your foot to get water with a mirror. Some people would even just sit in the stall and not use the restroom just for the air conditioning. It isn't that cold, but when you're in the heat all day, it makes a difference.• Free showers. The same showers as GA but without payment.• The viewing areas were good, but I have a few complaints. Still better than GA though.• There was a little tent restaurant in the VIP campground that had breakfast. I know some places in Centeroo have breakfast, but this was convenient because I was literally the tent behind it. There was a lengthy line in the mornings, but they do open pretty early.• The t-shirt and poster included in the package are available in the campground when they open at 7 on Thursday morning. It is funny because they give you those before the merch stands open at 12. My friend wore his and people were asking him how he already had a Bonnaroo 2013 shirt.• I didn't go to the Thursday pre party because a security guard told me about McCartney's "secret soundcheck" and I waited for that at the arch. I did see some people with the plates as I left for the soundcheck and it looked like a red lobster commercial with everything touched up.

Bonnaroo VIP complaints:• Streaming the show in the VIP tents sounds like a good idea, but the problem is they stream the show right next to you. In the Which stage VIP tent, they stream shows on the which stage, but you can literally hear the two second delay between the stage, and the stream. The same goes for the What stage. The VIP tent in the campground is in the direct path of the What stage PA. It's to a point where you can walk outside of both tents and see exactly what is on the screen. The sound is awful in there and it is a waste of space and money. If you pay that much to sit in AC and watch a tv of something that you can walk to in 3 minutes, you might as well stay home and watch the stream.• The VIP tents close at night, but they close usually right when a headliner ends. This gives you no times to come back after seeing a show and just grabbing a drink or charging your phone. The odd part is that they close the VIP tent, but they have staff sitting in chairs at all entrances to the tent when it is closed. Instead of having those staff literally supervise the empty tent, why not just make it 24 hours? I know the bar has to close, but the tent doesn't. And they won't even let me in there for a minute to plug my phone in overnight and leave.• On that note, when charging your phone, wake up at 6. otherwise, you will not be able to find a spot. What I will do next year is plan a VIP BYO power strip. • I did not know about the VIP sections in the tents. People found out about those by accident. I barely knew about the VIP line for the comedy tent. I had a Bob Saget ticket for 4:30, and I waited in the line at the front, but I noticed a smaller line to the side. It was a standby line for people without tickets, but it was also a VIP line. I was the only VIP in that line with a ticket, so I got front row for Bob Saget practically on accident. Sometimes, you don't know if you have a privilege somewhere as a VIP or not. I wish Bonnaroo could hand us a second booklet with the advantages of a VIP and what exactly we can and can't do.• While the VIP mound is cool, I don't feel like I'm a part of the action. I felt too far away and at some points, I felt like I needed binoculars. At OSL, there was a private VIP pit that I'll talk about later.• There are three places to use the VIP restrooms: Campground tent, Which tent, and What mound. When in Centeroo, they closest are Which and What, and they are far apart. I wish there was a more centralized location for some restrooms. Put some near the Other tent, That tent, and Ferris Wheel area. I'm not asking for a VIP tent here, but just bathrooms.• Can we get some WiFi? Not just in the campground but all across Centeroo. You could make it a private network but give VIPs the password.

Outside Lands VIP perks:• The main VIP tent had a view of the stage. In other words, you could sit on a couch and watch Paul McCartney, as opposed to a video of Paul McCartney. In the VIP tent, it had its own sound system connected to the main stage. You could walk outside of the tent and hear a terrible echo from the field delay towers, and walk in the tent and it is crystal clear sound.• VIP also had it's own pit in front of the main stage that took up about a fourth of the front of stage. I spent more time in there than I did in the VIP tent. I felt like I was actually at a music festival and not watching people dance down below whilst I'm in a lazy boy or seated on a grassy hill.• OSL has VIP custodial staff whose sole purpose is to clean up the VIP tent. The minute you leave your spot at a table or on a couch, someone will come with a washcloth and windex and clean up. You could leave food out and they'd throw it away when you leave (but don't be that guy.)• There were AC bathrooms, but you really don't need AC when it is 60 degrees outside. It's still better than a porta-potty so it's a perk.

There weren't many outstanding perks that bonnaroo didn't have other than the view of the stage and private sound system in the VIP tent. Because it isn't a camping festival, there isn't a lot that they can offer.

Outside Lands VIP complaints:• Because there is one VIP tent, it is always crowded. It isn't quite elbow to elbow, but it is hard to just walk right through it.• Also because there is one VIP tent, it is near impossible to find a table or spot on a couch after 5:00 PM. The only way you can get one is to wait for someone to get up, or grab one really early and hold it all day.• I complained that the bathrooms were far apart at Bonnaroo, but there is only one bathroom area at OSL and it is in the far corner of the park. You could be at the Twin Peaks stage (equivalent of Which stage) on the other side of the park and all of a sudden, nature could call. It isn't a fun trek back to the VIP area.• There aren't tents like Bonnaroo. It's just for stages, a comedy tent, and DJ Dome (not a silent disco.) It is easier to see and hear at a stage compared to a tent (because if you aren't under a tent and you're far back, it's hard to see and hear.) I can't really complain here, but just a tiny VIP area would be nice. I don't care where they put it, I just want an area that isn't as dense.• The VIP area for the Twin Peaks stage was really hard to access and had a really crowded entrance, but it cleared out one you get inside. There just needs to be an easier way to get in because it is hard getting a crowd of people into two lines to scan wristbands, and it's worse when you try to leave and you're swimming upstream. I tried to get in for Phoenix, and as I scanned my wristband, a lot of people just jumped the barricade.• Golden Gate Park is surrounded by just residential streets and neighborhoods. This means taxis, and public transport are scarce. BART doesn't even run to GGP. We didn't know how bad the lack of Public Transportation was until we actually experienced it Friday night. Walking isn't an option because it is an hour and a half walk to downtown. OSL does have a shuttle service that runs from the park to the Civic Center in downtown, but we didn't know about it (it's like $40 for a weekend shuttle pass.) I believe they could offer a free shuttle service for VIPs to and from downtown. It would be worth it.

In my opinion, you get more bang for your buck with Bonnaroo VIP, but there isn't really anything that Outside Lands can do to improve. OSL isn't camping so they can only offer so much.